The honorary citizenship was bestowed on the occasion of the city’s annual commemoration of the anniversary of the liberation of Tuzla by Partisan forces from Nazi occupiers on October 2nd, 1943. This year marked the 66th anniversary of the liberation of Tuzla, which at the time was the largest liberated city in Europe. The formal ceremony was held in a fully packed Tuzla Theatre.
Marking the Liberation Day is a tradition in Tuzla, giving the citizens a chance to pay respect to the Partisans from 1943 and soldiers from the previous war. To those soldiers who lost their lives liberating their city and the ones that still are alive. Last but not least, also to remember and pay respects to victims of the Kapija killings in Tuzla in 1995. Special guests attending the ceremony were former mayor of Tuzla Salih Alić, adviser to the mayor of Zagreb, Croatia Harun Omerbasic, Zsolt Pava mayor of Vukovar, Croatia, Zeljko Sabo, mayor of Pésc, Hungary and the Norwegian Ambassador Jan Braathu.
The Municipal Council of Tuzla voted to confer an honorary citizenship on the Norwegian Ambassador in Bosnia and Herzegovina Jan Braathu on July 14th. The decision was based on recognition of the ambassador’s efforts to promote fundamental democratic values in Bosnia and Herzegovina, supporting Tuzla’s growth and development, and the further strengthening of close cooperation between Norway and the city of Tuzla.
The ceremony was led by the President of the Municipal Council, Nada Mladina and Mayor Jasmin Imamovic. Together they handed over the award and title to Ambassador Jan Braathu.
“We will continue to work together to make Tuzla better and to develop our bilateral relations for our mutual benefit” the ambassador said, while showing great appreciation for the award and stating further that this comes to him as a great honour.
Guest and audience were entertained by choirs Iskre and Tuzlanke, and Ansamble Maestro.